This class will provide the skills to start and operate a fresh market vegetable business. Growing food is the first step, but we will teach you how to make smart decisions about marketing, pricing, capitalization and labor. You will become aware of current opportunities in urban farming, explore objectives, assess personal and financial resources, conduct preliminary market research, and develop a business plan. We will discuss market gardening start-up, weekly sales targets, yield and pricing, organic certification, organic marketing and labeling, and analyze the value of CSA's, direct marketing and farmers' markets.
Urban Farming
Grow fresh produce in your own sustainable small farm by earning Gateway’s Urban Farming advanced technical certificate. Combine specialized technical skills with entrepreneurship to cultivate urban areas and produce fruits, vegetables and herbs that you can market, sell and, of course, eat! This program is open to students who have completed or are in the process of completing a Horticulture associate degree or possess equivalent knowledge and skills.
- Advance your Horticulture degree by earning an Urban Farming certificate. Not only will you gain advanced technical knowledge in growing plants in urban conditions, but you’ll gain skills in farming, business and marketing.
- Work hands-on in Gateway’s own Urban Farm and Market, learning to sell produce, herbs and plants that you’ve grown yourself to real customers.
- Become an entrepreneur with hands-on business training that specializes the skills you developed in your related program.
- Start your own small farm, equipped with the skills necessary to schedule, grow and deliver the highest quality produce to CSA members or farmer’s markets.
Program Credits
12
Location
Kenosha Campus
Financial Aid Eligible
Yes
Estimated Program Cost
Tuition & Fees: $2,019
Books & Supplies: $2,171
Start Dates
Fall, Summer
Salary Outlook
N/A